10 Hip Hop Songs that Uplift Black Woman

From Essence.com with editional commentary by your truly
Snoop Dogg recently announced that he owes it to his women fans to move forward producing more “female-friendly” records. Over his illustrious 18 years as a gangsta rapper, Snoop has agreed that making songs that objectify and exploit women are just not that cool anymore. I guess he finally realized that he was talking about his wife and daughter.
Emcees releasing female-friendly rap songs are few and far between, and it’s still the status quo in rap to hear the words, “b-tch” and “ho.” However, instead of beating a dead horse and focusing on the negative, we decided to give shout outs to the 10 rappers over the years that have glorified and shown appreciation and respect to Black women. It is sad that Hip Hop is over 30 years old Essence.com could only find 10 songs and most of them are old school or alternative rappers. What does that say about the current rap game?

Dear Mama – Tupac
Tupac reminded us all of the struggles of single Black mothers, and how much of a responsibility it is to be a mother, period. That no matter how great or terrible we may have thought our moms to be, there’s no one who deserves our appreciation and respect more than a strong Black mother.

“I’ll Be There for You,” Method Man ft. Mary J. Blige
Still living the fast life, the gritty Method Man recognizes on this track he has a woman that will ride or die for her man. And, instead of taking her long lasting love for granted or manipulating her loyalty, he knows she has become all he needs to get by.

“Black Girl Pain,” Talib Kweli
As a father, conscious rapper Talib Kweli offers Black little girls everywhere a daddy’s love on this track. He uses the song to help others realize the importance of watching over our young Black women, and treating them like princesses so they grow one day to be queens.

Womanology,” KRS One
In this song, the old school rapper preaches on the way women and men act toward each other. If men want a women that treats them right, it begins with the man taking responsibility and treating the women like the Queen she was intended to be.

Independent,” Webbie
This Southern rapper created a catchy hook, spelling out the word independent to show his appreciation for the females who have their own thing going on. Women who work hard to take care of themselves, stay fly, and are able to earn their own money, urging the ladies who lack ambition and drive to “sit down.”

U Make Me Wanna,” Jadakiss ft. Mariah Carey
Jadakiss respects the woman who respects the hustle. In a relationship that had a rocky start, he sings praises to the woman who endured it all and stuck with him, appreciating a love that has also become a deep rooted friendship.

Beautiful,” Snoop
Like he mentioned, Snoop has released a few “bits and pieces” of songs that show he isn’t a total sexist. On this track Snoop reminisces over the feeling of first meeting his “favorite girl,” and revels in her beauty both on the inside and outside.

The Light,” Common
Framed as a love letter, Common confesses his love for a woman in the most tender way. He affectionately explained why if you are a real man the word bitch is no name for a woman, and the how the reflection of light in woman is warmth for a man.

“Keep Ya Head Up,” Tupac
And since we all came from a woman, got our name from a woman, and our game from a woman, I wonder why we take from our women? Why we rape our women? Do we hate our women? I think it’s time to kill for our women. Time to heal our women, be real to our women.” The lyrics say it all.

Can you add to the list?
I will add Round the Way Girl by L.L. Cool J. and Brooklyn Queens by Third Bass